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Achilles: Just One of the Girls

A Red Orchid Theatre in Chicago is presenting a novel stage version of the Iliad (until Dec. 19):

Granted, it might sound entirely counterintuitive to create a stage adaptation of “The Iliad” — Homer’s massive epic about the madness and horrors of war — that is specifically meant to be performed by a cast of 13 young girls, a few of whom are still in fifth grade and probably weigh less than 50 pounds soaking wet.

Yet as it turns out, the concept works brilliantly. Just take a peek at playwright Craig Wright’s eloquent hourlong version of the ancient Greek classic (based on work by translator Robert Fagles and Ian Strachan) now onstage at a Red Orchid Theatre — the same company that in earlier holiday seasons presented a memorable production of “A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant.”

The girls, members of A Red Orchid’s Youth Ensemble, easily hold their own as soldiers wielding swords and shields and varying degrees of power. And in director Steve Wilson’s spare but evocative production, they impress with the ferocity of their emotions, the sureness of their intellectual attack and the force and clarity of their diction. The fact that you wouldn’t expect the Greek and Trojan warriors of ancient myth to take this form is enough to make you listen to this very adult story in a whole new way. Wilson and fight choreographer Sarah Fornace, were able to elicit surprising things from their young actresses.

Comments

what an interesting concept, using young girls to portray grizzled soldiers. i'm sure the absurdity is well registered with the audience. and what an experience for these young actors. to be exposed to the classics at such an age is sure to ignite a life-long love of liberal education. sounds masterful!